Parenting in Style

I’m trying to do a better job with oral care. A few months ago I realized that my 2 cappuccino per day habit was taking a toll on my teeth. They seemed dull and were on the verge on yellowing.

A whiter, brighter smile after just 2 weeks of switching to the cariPRO.

My first step was to upgrade my daily routine with an electronic toothbrush. I’ve been using the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush twice daily for over a month now. I can honestly say I’m so glad I switched over. I’ve noticed a drastic improvement in the cleanliness of my teeth since using my new toothbrush. You know that feeling right after a deep cleaning at the dentist? Where your tongue glides across your smooth, sparkling teeth so seamlessly and your mouth feels especially fresh and clean? The cariPRO helps to recreate that feeling every day by removing SEVEN times more plaque than a manual toothbrush.

The package from Smile Brilliant comes with a toothbrush, a charging base and 2 brush heads. The thing that stands about the cariPRO toothbrush is how many modes it has. I have FIVE different speeds and categories to choose from….each a different experience (clean, white, massage, gum care, sensitive). I’ve had great results by alternating between whiten, clean and massage. I noticed real results after just 3 days of using the ‘whiten’ setting. The timer ensures that I brush for 2 minutes…while the 30 second timer forces me to focus on each section for targeted cleaning. The whiten setting then gives you a bonus 30 seconds to focus on the front of your top and bottom teeth.

Electronic toothbrushes are also great for those of us who have braces and other orthodontic appliances. After my actual braces were removed when I was in 6th grade, my dentist cemented a thin wire to the back of my bottom row of teeth to prevent them from shifting. This permanent retainer makes flossing impossible without the use of threaders and is simply a huge pain. Manual brushing really didn’t cut it for me. I’d scrub that area behind my teeth in frustration, but despite all the brushing and flossing, I never felt like I got my retainer perfectly clean. An electronic toothbrush completely changed that for me. The force of the vibrations is really helping to knock out some of the plaque and tartar caused by my retainer. I highly recommend this toothbrush for anyone trying to keep braces and retainers fresh and clean.

I feel so much more confident with my smile now and I absolutely loved partnering with Smile Brilliant. My cariPRO gives me a sparkling white grin that I thought could only be achieved after a visit to the dentist! It’s so much easier to prevent stains than to try to erase them (although this toothbrush did an amazing job at both) so I’ll be using it daily from now on. Right now you can get 20% off cariPRO Ultrasonic electric toothbrushes with the code mochamommyinthecity20

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
#MyInspiredFall #DunkinAtHome #CollectiveBias

I recently received some life-changing advice that’s helped me get through this back-to-school season with ease. Transitioning to fall can be tough for some parents. Summers are so much more laid back. You can arrive at camp whenever you please. You can skip it all together if you don’t feel like getting up. There’s no homework. The school year, however, needs much more structure (and much more energy for mom.)

When people ask how I get it all done, I often share my tips for time blocking. Basically, I break my day up into breathable chucks. Instead of taking things “day by day” I usually go “quarter by quarter”. There are a MILLION things that need to get done in a day…but if you can compartmentalize and figure out what you can do in a 3 or 4 hour chuck of time it leads to a much more manageable and productive day.

Time-Block Your Day

*6:00-9:00 AM

From 6 to 9 the focus is on the marathon of getting myself and my 1st grader off to work and school.

Sounds like an easy task, but most mornings are a chaotic mess.

My tip for this time block is to try to schedule at least 10-15 minutes to yourself and create a ritual that helps you ease into the day. Mine is simple…..

Coffee time! For me, coffee is comfort. My parents and grandparents were big coffee drinkers, so the smell of fresh coffee makes me feel comfortable and at home. I use it in the morning both to wake up and to relax. It’s basically my version of comfort food. From the first hot sip, to the last cool one, I savor every second. While I can get coffee anywhere along my commute, I love my morning ritual of making my Dunkin’ Donuts® Original Blend Ground Coffee brew at home. When I get up, it’s still dark and quiet and the city is still. Being able to cuddle on my favorite chair in my corner while my French Press fills my home with the fresh aroma of coffee is priceless to me. The Original Blend is everything you love about Dunkin’ Donuts coffee….all ground into one delicious roast. It’s smooth and full of flavor and gives me the boost I need to get my day started right.

From the second that my daughter wakes up until about 8pm, I’m running all day. The most important part of my morning is the 15 minutes I get to myself. Without it, I’m a mess.

*9:00-12:00 / 12:00-3:00 / 3:00-6:00 PM

Equipped with the fuel I need to handle the next 9 hours, I power through my workday.

My schedule changes constantly and as a freelance Art Director, I juggle several projects and proposals at a time. I, like most working moms I know, could use a few more hours in the day.

Time blocking works for entrepreneurs and business owners— whether you work in a formal office, a temporary co-working space, freelance full-time, or work from home with your kids. (I speak from personal experience, as I’ve had just about every single work situation imaginable.) I suggest a short break after each quarter. Reward yourself for all the work you’ve accomplished and fuel up for the next quarter. After crushing my goals from 9-12, I grab lunch and treat myself to my favorite dessert. After the 12-3 slot, I brew another cup of Dunkin’ Donuts® coffee . It gives me the energy I need to make it through school pickup, dinner and homework. I like to give my kid my full attention and match her energy in the evenings until her bedtime, and then finish up projects and freelancing at night.

If you have any advice to share on going strong from sun up to sun down, leave a comment below!

Love,
The Lawrences

(I only get 15 minutes to myself in the morning before this happens. That fresh coffee aroma often wakes my little one and *poof…quiet time is over.)

Right now Stop and Shop is offering a coupon for $1.25 off Dunkin Donuts coffee products! (I doubled up.)Grab the coupon here!